Despite affecting millions, many women don’t talk all that much about fibroids. These noncancerous tumors grow in or on the uterus and can vary greatly in size, number, and impact. Some women may not even know they have fibroids, while others experience disruptive symptoms like pelvic pain or heavy menstrual bleeding.
Our team of board-certified physicians and licensed nurse practitioners at Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, in Hastings and Grand Island, Nebraska, believes that understanding fibroids is key to managing them. Here’s what you need to know about fibroids, including causes, signs, and treatments.
Why do fibroids develop?
Fibroids are benign muscular growths that form in the uterus. While the exact cause is still under investigation, researchers theorize that fibroids result from a combination of genetic and environmental factors. You’re more likely to have growth if they run in your family.
Diet may also play a role. Some studies suggest that eating more red meat and fatty foods can increase your risk, while eating more fruits and vegetables might lower it. But research is in the very early stages, and we can’t be sure that diet is a major factor.
However, any woman can develop fibroids. Some women may have these common growths and not know it, making it difficult to develop a strong list of risk factors.
Fibroid symptoms
Symptoms related to fibroids vary immensely depending on size, number, and location. Some women may not experience any issues if their fibroids are small, and they may go undetected during an annual well-woman exam.
But not all women are so lucky. Fibroids can cause a wide range of uncomfortable symptoms, such as:
- Pelvic pain
- Back pain
- Heavy menstrual flow
- Infertility
- Increase in urination
- Constipation or diarrhea
Fibroids may even grow large enough to increase your waist size.
If you have fibroid symptoms, we may recommend a pelvic ultrasound to look for the growths and determine the location, size, and number. We may also do an MRI to get a more accurate image of the fibroids and create a treatment plan.
Fibroid treatment options
Treatment for fibroids depends on your symptoms and concerns. If your fibroid doesn’t bother you, we may not do anything but monitor the growth with periodic ultrasounds.
If your fibroid causes pain or heavy periods, we may recommend over-the-counter pain medication and birth control. We may also prescribe medication that decreases production of estrogen and progesterone, putting you in a temporary menopausal state, to shrink the fibroid.
Large fibroids that cause infertility, chronic pelvic pain, or other uncomfortable symptoms may benefit from surgery that removes the fibroid (myomectomy) or the uterus (hysterectomy). The best surgery for you depends on your age and future pregnancy plans. Most procedures are done by minimally invasive surgery to reduce pain and recovery time.
Uterine fibroid embolization and radiofrequency ablation are newer nonsurgical treatment options that work by cutting off blood supply to the fibroid. Because these treatments affect fertility, we only perform them for women with no pregnancy plans.
Fibroids are often harmless, but if you have symptoms of fibroids or you’ve been diagnosed, our team is here to help. Call Obstetricians & Gynecologists, PC, today or schedule a consultation online to learn more about managing fibroids with personalized care.
